The Rock is super proud to be able to support this year’s pantomime The Pied Piper of Hamelin at The Met, helping make the magic more accessible to local families and schoolchildren.
Here’s to a season full of sparkle, silliness, and standing ovations! 
HUNDREDS of local children took part in The Rock Shopping Centre’s first ever Christmas Lights Switch on Parade.
A festive parade filled with community groups wound its way through the shopping and leisure destination ahead of the big countdown to turn on the decorations.
Led by a cheeky elf and an LED drummer the parade took place on Saturday (8th November) and is a new addition to The Rock’s event calendar, as part of its 15th year birthday celebrations.
Groups including Radcliffe Rainbows, 44th Bury Scouts and Seedfield Panthers FC were involved, alongside Bury Council’s Fostering Team, Adoption Now, Holy Cross College and Bury Music Service.
Festooned staff from Primark and Hotel Chocolat also featured in the parade and characters including stilt walking angels, a Christmas pudding, Christmas bauble ladies and roaming disco balls. Music and a live broadcast was delivered by community radio station, Roch Valley Radio.
The parade concluded with the traditional countdown in St John’s Square where the centre’s brand new, dazzling decorations were switched on.
The decorations include a geometric stag, a sleigh with reindeer and a new Christmas tree, as well as lighting on the front of the leisure block and along the centre’s lamp posts and pillars.
The following groups were recognised with awards:
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “Our first-ever Christmas Parade and Lights Switch-On was everything we hoped for and more. The atmosphere was electric, and seeing so many families and friends come together to kick-start the festive season was truly heartwarming. This event was all about community, and the support we received was fantastic. Thank you to everyone who joined us – you’ve helped make this a Christmas to remember.”